Securing means for screen cloth



' June 2, 1942. L. G. sYMoNs 2,284,883

SECURING' MEANS FOR SCREEN CLOTH Original Filed F'eb. 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5 w .fm w @A mm@ .u ,w w m n y a S, a e V5 wy w Q N Nl ww .Q *MW VU a* N a y lw wvm/ 10 am me n ,w uw www. E.. kmmaw @we .1.1% o o @o m. my wm mm mv Q uw wvwwkww Q n hv W NJ m/ &4 .W mv .Q u' k o oke/omxv www/M@ m. mmwo\ E @y u o .M m v m ALIM. :uw: w o uw h 3B JW www mm Q m .www O O n NN La NNO 0 Q @o onv n M. @D o I o o f ,m ww sw QI@ G Q June 2, 1942. L. G. sYMoNs SECURING MEANS FOR SCREEN CLO'ITH original Filed Feb. 17, 1940 4 Sheets sheet 2 QN www @N June 2, 1942. L. G. sYMoNs SECURING MEANS FOR SCREEN CLOTH Original Filed Feb. 1'7, 1940 4 Sheets sheet 3 June 2, 1942 L.. G. 'sYMoNs 2,284,883

SECURING MEANSFOR SCREEN GLOTI- Original Filed Feb. 1'7, 1940 4 Sheetsheet 4 Fa' 7 j 22 Inf/s737507".

laren G. ,557720725 Patented June 2, 1942 UNITEDSTATES PATENT orifice SECURING MEANS FOR SCREEN CLOTH Loren Glenn Symons, Hollywood, Calif.,`assignor to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporaticnof Wisconsin Original application February 17, 1940, Serial No.

319,452. Divided and this application October 21, 1940, Serial No. 362,098 i l v16 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in screens and has for one purpose the provision of an improved means for holding the screen cloth or mesh in position upon the deck.

Another purpose is the provision of Ymeans for applying tension to the screen mesh or cloth 4which is equally applicable,` without change, to

mesh of varying coarseness or neness, from very fine screen cloth to very coarse.

Another purpose is the provision oi means for ,i

permitting a very rapid application of or removal of the screen mesh or cloth from the' sceen deck.

Another purpose is'the provision of ercient means for securingscreen cloth or mesh to a deck without the necessity of any clamping means,bar means, binding, or thelike, for jthe screen `mesh itself, whereby all that is necessaryv so far as the mesh is concerned is to cut it to the proper length Aand lay it on the deck, and

thereafter apply the mesh securing and tensioning meansthereto.

Another purpose is theprovision otmeans for tightening screen mesh and Y particularly `fine. screen mesh to drumhead tightness, without subi jecting it to wear creating strain.

Another purpose is the provision of means for securing the Vscreen mesh firmly in position by applying pressure thereto along the longitudinal edges and transversely thereacross.

Other purposes will appear from time totime in the course of the specication and claims.

The present application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 319,452, iiled in the United States Patent Office on February 17,

I illustrate my invention more cr less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings where- Fig.`1 is a side elevation with parts in longitudinal Vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal section on an enlarged scale; v

Fig.k3 is a plan View;

Fig. 4 is a detail;

Fig. 5 is a section on'the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal vertical section on an enlarged scale; and

i Fig. '7 is a section on the line 'I-l of Fig. 5.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols F' throughout the specication and drawings. Y

Referring to the drawings,` I indicates any suitable base upon which the screen is mounted. I

illustrate a base frame which may include longitudinally extending parallel channel elements Vil.

2), 2. These channel elements may be connected by any suitable transversely extending end frame members or angles 3 and intermediate transf versely extending.V angles Il. It 4will be observed that the intermediate frame elements and theV left end members 3, referring to Fig. 1, are tilted somewhat from the horizontal, as shown for example in Fig. 1.' Y j Vibratably mounted upon this base frame is any suitable deck, which may include for example parallel side plates 5, 5, which may be vconnected by transversely extending frame memfbers 6, which in turn maybe welded to side plates 1, which side platesmay be bolted or other- I wise secured to the side frame members 5, as by bolts 8 and nuts 9. I0, I0 indicate transversely extending reinforcing plates interposed between the side plates 5 and the plates l. -Referring for example to Fig. l, the plates 'l may be of suicient length to carry a plurality of the transverse. members 6, whereas in the lower part of the deck Iv illustrate shorter plates l, each of which isshown as carrying a single transverse member 6. It will be understood,

. however, that this is a matter of detail and may befvaried to suit' conditions. It will be observed thatthe upper edges of the member 6 are shown as generally arcuate and ascarrying upwardly extending channels II, in which may bepositioned blocksof rubber or the like I2, shown as centrally indented or concave as at I3. The purpose of the form oithese blocks will later appear.

I also illustrate longitudinally extending channels I, which may be welded or otherwise secured in relation to the plates Ill andV which are made upwardly open to receive longitudinally extending rubber strips I5. I illustrate any suitable transversely extending end cross members I 6.

Itwill be noted that at the feed end of each screening surface I illustrate generally at hori- Zontal rubber sheets or sections I'l, which may be secured in any suitable fashion to the deck structure.

the apertures I3 in the upper surfaces of the transversely extending rubber pad I2.

Where heavy screen is employed, as shown in Fig. 2l, a flat bar I9' may be employed in place of the convex surfaced bar or half round I9. Welded to each end of the members I9 or I9 are transversely extending pins 2|.

In order to clamp the rods I9 or I9 against the mesh, I illustrate clamping plates generally indicated as 22, each of which has an upper edge portion 23 adapted to engage the inner face of the side plate of the deck. Extending downwardly and inwardly from it is an inclined portion 24, as shown for example in Fig. 5, which terminates in an outwardly turned ange 25, adapted to overlie and engage the upper face of the mesh I8.. Clamping bolts 26 extend through the portion 24 and through the side frame members or plates 5 and through inclined clamping angles 2'I. Any suitable means, such as nuts 28,

may be employed to tighten the clamping bolts.

It will be observed that the pins 2| are received in the bend formed by the members 24 and 25. Thus, when the clamping plates are tightened up, the entire rod I9 or I9' is subjected to tension and is firmly locked against the upper surface of the mesh I8. If the iiat bars I9 are employed, the mesh will simply be locked against the upper surface of the members I2, engaging the upward extending edge portions, as shown in Fig. 2. If a thinner mesh is employed in connection with a downwardly concave rod I9, as shown in Fig. 6, the rod, and with it the mesh, penetrate the hollows I3 of the rubber members I2. It will be understood, of course, that in order to permit the bars I9 or I9 to pass through the clamping members, they may be slotted or cut away as at 30, as shown for example in Fig. 7.

In applying the mesh it is rst superposed upon the members I2. The transversely extending bars I9 or I9 are positioned thereover, and the clamping members 22 are applied and then tightened up. In applying fine mesh, as in the form of Figs. 1 and 6, the end rods I9 may, if desired,

be tensioned first` and the remaining rods may be tensioned thereafter, or this tightening may be made progressively along the extension of the mesh. In any event, the tightening or clamping the mesh in position, 'I'he bend put on the mesh by forcing it into the hollows I3 puts a longitudinal'tension upon the intermediate sections of the mesh which is independent of any longitudinal tensioning of the mesh as a whole.

It may be convenient to employ a plurality of panel sections, and I have shown two in each deck in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the deck may be vibratably mounted in any suitable fashion and that my screen tensioning means may be applied to a wide variety of decks. As a matter of illustration I show a supporting link structure at each end. The structure shown in detail, for examplein Fig. 6, illustrates one of the inclined transversely extending angles 4. A similarly inclined plate is illustrated at 4a, at the right-hand end of Fig. 1. It is understood that there is one such link structure at each end of the screen. The link structure proper is shown as including a bottom channel or abutment 4I), mounted on the member 4 or 4a, and formed to receive the transversely extending rubber pad 4I, which may be made in one or more'sections, but which preferably extends transversely substantially or entirely -across the width of the deck. The member 4I is shown as having cutaway portions 42 at the sides.

43 is an intermediate web which carries at its lower end the channel 44, and at its upper end the channel 45. The lower channel 44 engages the upper portion of the rubber block 4I. The upper channel 45 engages the lower portion of a similar rubber block 46, the upper portion of which in turn is engaged by a channel 41, which is secured to any suitable member, such as the transversely extending deck frame member 48.

Any suitable means may be employed for holding the deck down upon the base and for constraining the deck to a vibratory movement, which may be described as having a uniform radius. I illustrate for example compression bolts 49, headed at each end as at 50, 59a. The lower ends may pass, for example, through the transversely extending frame members 3, 4, on the base, Whereas the upper ends pass through corresponding frame members 5I, 52 on the deck. Any suitable pads 53 of yielding material may be compressed by the washers 54 against the lower faces of the members 3, 4, and the upper faces of the members 5I, 52, respectively. Any suitable compression may be put upon the said compression members. It will be understood, of course, that the apertures through which the bolts 49 pass are of suiicient width to compensate for vibratory movement of the screen deck and to prevent a metal to metal contact.

I also provide means for normally tending to hold the screen in a predetermined neutral position, which preferably is a position in which the link structure, including the web 43, is generally perpendicular to the engaged faces of the members 4 and 4a. Such means may, for example, include a plurality of springs 55 mounted on the bolts 53, having end washers 5'I, the upper ends of the bolts passing through a web 58 on the member 5I and through a web 59 on the end member 3. It will be understood that the springs 56 resist the gravital tendency of the screen to Y tilt the members 43, and in eifect push the deck against gravity into its predetermined neutral position, which is shown for example in Figs. 1 and 6.

Any suitable means for feeding material to the feed end of the screen may be employed. I illustrate for example a feed chute with a feed limit plate 6I Any other suitable feeding means may be employed, and it will be understood that, if desired, the material may be fed simultaneously to the upper and lower deck, although such disposition is not shown in Fig. 1.

Any suitable means may be employed for vibrating the screen deck, but it will not be necessary to go into detail in connection with the vibrating means. I illustrate, for example, the following structure: Mounted upon the base is an upwardly extending frame structure, which may include for example the vertical frame element 53, the inclined element 64, the motor base 55, secured to the top thereof, the motor 66, and the drive pulley B7 thereof. As shown in Fig. 3, the motor is at one side of the screen structure, and the above described support may be stabilized or held in position by the transversely extending pipe 68, the far end of which extends down to the opposite base frame element as at 69.

89 illustrates a driven pulley, which may be driven from the motor pulley 6T, as by any suitable lbelt structure 8E, the end of which is generally indicated as at A, and it will be understood that any suitable rotor means may be provided within the housing I I, shownv for example in Fig. 3 as extending between the side plates ,5. l

It will be realizedthat whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the Size, shape, number and disposition of parts without ldeparting from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense'illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: Y.

I provide a plurality of tension rods I9, each of which may have a convex lower face and a flat or generally plane upper face 20, as shown for example in Figs. 4 and 6. Each of the rods I9 has at each end a cross bar or lateral extension 2|, which may for convenience be formed of a short length of rod welded orotherwise secured i versely extending rods or pins 2`I are received in the bottom toe of the member 24, as shown in Fig. 5. The lower flange 25v of the side clamp plates abut against the upper face of the edge of the screen mesh.

In applying screencloth, and particularly iine 22 mesh, all that is necessary is to cut the cloth the right length and lay it, either in a single sheet or separate panels, on the deck structure in such fashion that the edgesrest on the rubber side pads I5 in the channels I4, and an intermediate portion rests on'the transversely extending rubber pads I2. The side clamps 24 can then be dropped into place, with the rods or pins 2| hooked in. Each member I9 overlies one of the rubber transverse pads I2, which are shown as concave, as at I3 in Fig. 6, in order to receive the c'onvexity of the lower face of the member I9. When the nuts 28 are tightened, the lower flange 25 of each side clamp 24 clamps the longitudinal edge of the screen against the rubber pad I5, and simultaneously tension is applied to the transverse rods I9, which draws them firmly downwardly against the upper fa'ce of the mesh of the screen cloth I8, and sinks the screen cloth into the concavity of the rubber pads i2, as shown in Fig. 6. Thus pressure is applied simultaneously directly to the screen edge and indirectly, through the tension on the rods, on vthe intermediate portions of the screen cloth, without throwing any substantial tensile strain on the cloth strip itself.

The clothmay thus be applied very quickly and The deflection ofthe mesh caused by its dietor-` tion to lit the concavity I3 of `the pads I2 applies end'to end `stretch or tension of ample rigidity between adjacent pairs of supports I I.

In practice, with nner mesh, a drumhead tightness is obtained without any tensile strain `on the mesh itself.

This is important as, when the mesh is put under `heavy tensile strain, it

. wears far more rapidly `and may even tear.` However, great tightness ofthe mesh or cloth is important since the vibration of the de ck is imparted precisely to the cloth, with no looseness or Whip or liuctuation. If the cloth is loose or floppy, the motion is not effective.

Note that no supplemental frame or tting is needed for the cloth. It will `be understood that the channels I4 may be made removable, an important factor in connection with two level decks. in order to permit the mesh to be dropped easily in position in the lower dack. The side bars or plates 'I may also be swung up about the pivots 3 in order to permit the cloth to be easily posil` tioned on the lower level of the deck.

In applying the coarser mesh, such as shown for example in Fig. 2, and where the mesh cannot be and does not need to be tensioned as does the ne cloth, flat rods I9 may be substituted, but no change in' the structure is necessary, as the securing means are equally applicable to the coarser cloth,

If a variation in the gauge is desired from end to end of the screen, or between the upper and lower decks, or both, no change is necessary in the securing means. All that isnecessary is to cut the proper length panels of different mesh, drop them in position, set the transverse rods I9 or I9 in position, and then tighten the nuts 28 of the bolts 26.

1. In-a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted on'said cross members, said pads having transversely extending concavities therein, said transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across the screen deck, screen mesh superposed upon said pads, and means for securing said screen mesh in position, including convex tension members superposed on the screen mesh and aligned with, said concavities, and means for applying tension to said members for thereby drawing said members and said screen mesh against said pads and into said concavities. Y f

2. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted on said cross members, said pads having transversely extending concavities therein, vsaid transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across `the screen deck, screen mesh superposed upon said pads, and means for securing said screen mesh in position, including convex tension members superposed on the screen mesh and aligned with said concavities, and means for applying tension to said members for thereby drawing said members and said screen mesh against said pads and into said concavities, including securing clamps having portions engaging the inner face of the side frame members and portions engaging the ends of said tension members, and means for drawing said clamps toward the inner faces of clamps having portions engaging the inner face of the side frame members and portions engaging the ends of said tension members, and means for drawing said clamps toward the inner face of the frame members, said clamps being apertured to receive the ends of said tension members, said tension members being provided with lateral extensions adapted to be engaged by said clamps.

4. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted-on said cross members, said transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across the screen deck, Screen mesh superposed upon said pads, means for securing said screen mesh in position, including convex tensionI members superposed upon screen mesh and aligned with said pads, and means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said members and said screen mesh against said pads.

5. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted on said cross members, said transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across the screen deck, screen mesh superposed upon said pads, means for' securing said screen mesh in position, including tension members superposed upon screen mesh and aligned with said pads, and I means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing saidV members and said screen mesh against said pads.

6. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members. screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen mesh downwardly against said cross members, including individual transversely extending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh and opposed to and overlying the individual cross members, and means for individually applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members.

7. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely' Vextending cross members, screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen mesh downwardly against said cross members, including individual transversely extending tension members super` posed upon the screen mesh and opposed to and overlying the individual cross members, and means for individually applying tension to said members an-d for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck.

8. In a screen deck, transversely extending cross members, screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen downwardly against said cross members, including transverselyextending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh, means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck, and side plate members located at the ends of the'tension members and apertured to receive the ends of.

the tension members, and means for urging said side plate members apart.

9. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, screen side frame members,

mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen downwardly against said cross members, including transversely extending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh, means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck, and side plate members located at the ends of the tension members and apertured to receive the ends of the tension members, and means for urging said side plate members apart, said tension members having convex lower portions, said cross members having concave portions opposed thereto, whereby crimping of the mesh is elected when the tension members are tightened.

10. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen downwardly against said cross members, including transversely extending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh, means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck, and side plate members located at the ends of the tension members and apertured to receive the ends of the tension members, and means for urging said side plate members apart, said cross members including mesh contacting portions of flexible compressible material.

11. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen downwardly against said cross members, including transversely extending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh, means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck, and side plate members located at the ends of the tension members and apertured to receive the ends of the tension members, and means for urging said side plate members apart, said cross members including mesh contacting portions of exible compressible material, the lower faces of said tension members being convex.

12. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, screen mesh positioned above said cross members, means for drawing said screen downwardly against said cross members, including transversely extending tension members superposed upon the screen mesh, means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said tension members and said screen mesh against said cross members, said cross members being upwardly arched across the deck, and side plate members located at the ends of the tension members and apertured to receive the ends of the tension members, and means for urging said side plate members apart, said cross members including concave mesh contacting portions of flexible compressible material.

13. In a screen deck, generally parallel side frame members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending upwardly arched cross members connecting said side frame members, mesh engaging contact strips of compressible material located on said cross members, and

" against the mesh and into the compressible mesh supporting members.

14. In a screen deck, generally parallel side frame members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending upwardly arched cross members connecting said side frame members, mesh engaging contactJ strips of compressible material located on said cross members, and tension members extending from side to side of the screen above the mesh and aligned with said cross members and `including convex portions overlying said compressible contact members, and means for individually tensioning said tension members and for'thereby drawing them individually downwardly against the mesh and into the compressible mesh supporting members.

15. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted on said cross members, said pads having transversely extending concavities therein, said transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across the screen deck, screen mesh superposed upon said pads, and means for securing said screen mesh n -in position, including tension members superposed on the screen mesh and aligned with said concavities, and means for applying tension to said members for thereby drawing said members and said screen mesh against said pads and into said concavities. f

16. In a screen deck, side frame members, transversely extending cross members, pads of yielding compressible material mounted on said cross members, said transverse supports and pads being upwardly arched across the screen deck, screen mesh superposed upon said pads, means for securing said screen mesh in position, including tension members superposed upon screen mesh and aligned with said pads, and means for applying tension to said members and for thereby drawing said members and said screen `mesh against said pads.

VLOREN GLENN sYMONs. 

